CL Flying, Phase Two: Improving the Airplane
FUEL EXHAUSTED, the engine stops, and the 1/2 A CL plane plummets groundward, but the youngster is quick. This time he flares it out for a decent landing. The first phase of flying a full tank and not breaking up the plane has been accomplished. Now he wants to stunt it. Phase Two is that most critical time in CL flying when the fledgling pilot forces the plane into his first loop . . . and nine times out of 10 creates instant junk just 359º later. That sudden silence is usually the end of both plane and a lifelong hobby. The ex-pilot had barely learned to get it off the ground and back down in one piece . . . he doesn't know now what to do . . . it's quits.
Kids Flying at Schoolyards: Why Don't I See Them Anymore?
DO YOU REMEMBER the oscillating buzz of Control Line engines that could be heard most weekends, oh, too many years ago? Over at a park or schoolyard there would be a small group enjoying CL flying. You could tell if they were flying .35s at the park or .049s at the school by the distinctive difference in their sounds. Now all I seem to hear is an occasional .049 over-revving in a new birthday present plastic model car.
Wing Master
WINGS NEVER WERE intended to be panel-like structures that only support the airplane in the air. Wings must also lift it off the ground, provide control and stability while flying, and most important, allow it to settle back down to earth. That's what we need wings for-takeoff, flight, and landing.
